Youngsters Show Spirit and There's a Stench at the Emirates



Okay, I was not expecting a 2-0 loss on Saturday.  I think we were all worried about the possible result, but I figured a draw would be the most drastic.  The first 20 minutes scared the daylights out of me as we mislaid pass after pass.  Only My Vermie's shackling of Carroll gave me any sense of relief as he robbed him of nearly every header.  And watching a Liverpool player attempt to steal the ball off of 'Pong only to be brushed aside by him gave me a chuckle.  But then we know what happened eventually:  injuries, red cards, and losing while down to 10 men.

As far as individual performances go, I can't fault the young 'uns.  They showed spirit and fight (perhaps injudiciously) from Jenks to 'Pong and Ignasi.  SIDENOTE:  If one doesn't have faith in one's fourth pick center back, why isn't he sold?  Ignasi was on the bench and Squillaci in the stands?  Not that I think Squillaci would have done better, but what a statement made by Wenger - intentionally or unintentionally.  Anyway, RVP and Nasri played their parts as well while Theo and Arshavin were, well, pretty bad.  Every time Theo received the ball by the touchline, he was swarmed and usually conceded possession.  And Andrey's attempts at penetrating and passing were intercepted or otherwise nullified.

So all in all, we're in bad shape.  We have won only one out of six possible points.  Song and Emmanuel are suspended for Manchester United next Sunday and we don't know the extent of Koz's injury for the Udinese game, which means we could be short at the CB position.  There are rumblings tonight on Twitter that Jack could be back for the CL match, but what about our only creative player Nasri?  As much as I detest eating Humble Pie, I'll swallow a slice by admitting his performance made me remember why I liked him so much last year.  His move for Manchester City is taking FOREVER so, who knows?  If Wenger plays him against the Italians and he ends up Cup-tied, Mancini admitted that event could be a deal breaker.  What I found interesting is that Mancini expressed confusion and surprise that the deal wasn't done as soon as he expected stating:


"It's a big problem. For 40 days [I've been saying]: 'I hope it's two days, three days, two days, three days.' I don't know why we didn't close it.

It's nice for some other club to express confusion over the actions of its Board, and Mancini had no trouble stating that in public.  I think something similar could be going on at Arsenal, but unlike Roberto, Arsene is not the type of manager to come out and openly challenge the Arsenal Board.  He loves the club, is loyal, and discreet.  He probably views opening up any diagreements about transfers to the public as distasteful. And I do think there are major disagreements going on here which is the only sane explanation I can come up with for us not having the signings we need this close to the transfer deadline.  Our manager is a man who has made big signings in the pre-Emirates past.  Many of these were diamond-in-the-roughs whom he transformed into real gems.  But the Bergkamp signing was seen as a landmark signing.  Fast forward a few years and Wenger has to develop low-cost youngsters, while staying in the Champions League and vying for the title in order to help build the Emirates and keep the debt low.  Now he has money.  There is NO WAY he would jeopardize the whole season, qualification for Europe, and staying in the Top Four unless someone was pulling against his strings in the background.  I'm not saying Le Boss is not playing a small part in the delay, (he does seem very picky), but the guy knows what winning feels like and hates to lose.  I think the Board is not letting Wenger deal the way he wants.  Mata going to Chelsea seems to be the latest hint of unrest behind the scenes.


Of course, I'm not sure of all the details.  I'm as far from being a fly on the wall as I am from - well - ever seeing a game live in at the Emirates.  But something doesn't feel right.  And, on top of everything else,  Wenger is looking horrible as well.  He's dropped weight and is looking almost ill.  If he was truly acting only on his idealism or stubborness, I don't think it would be ravaging him physically as much as it is.  Think about it.  If you truly believe in what you are doing, criticism and defeat are taken with a grain of salt.  Arsene is starting to look like the Crypt Keeper for goodness sakes.

I'm not sure how the end of the transfer window is going to look for the Gunners.   If things continue going south, I fear that our manager will be left holding the bag while the owner and  Board put a spin on the situation.  I trust Arsene.  I don't always agree with him, but I trust him.  I'm not sure I trust the Board.  I'm not sure we'll ever know the true goings-on behind the Red and White curtain until Wenger writes an autobiography or a whistle blower comes foward.  Until then, Wenger will probably just continue to take the heat, stay in the kitchen, and try to make diamond souffle out of whomever he ends up with.

Yep, there's something rotten alright, and it's not in Denmark - it's in London.  Until next time.

Post Script:  Arsenal.Com just posted team news that explains Squillaci's absence.  He has a calf strain.